Squeamish Bikini
  • Home
  • Squeamish Features
  • Squeamish Reviews
  • Squeamish News
  • Squeamish Contact
  • About Squeamish

Mysterious Ms. title petition

7/10/2011

5 Comments

 
Picture
photo: Jeff Sandquist
I've used the title Ms for as long as I can remember. Why wouldn't I?
  
Well, when I was 18 my boss at my terrible telesales job told me I couldn't use the title 'Ms' because it was only for divorced women.

At my right-on university I was informed that the title was only used by lesbians.

And when I got married everyone, even those who didn't have a problem with the fact that I'd kept my own surname, assumed I would now become a 'Mrs'.

I didn't actually beat these people over the head while shouting 'THE WHOLE POINT OF USING THE TITLE 'MS' IS NOT TO DISCLOSE A WOMAN'S MARITAL STATUS! WHY WOULD I CHANGE IT NOW?!', but I wanted to. And it seems I'm not alone.

A new petition on the government's e-petition website calls for Ms to be "the ONLY title for women." Granted, there are only 43 signatures at the time of writing - a far cry from the 100, 000 needed to force a debate in the House of Commons, but it's always nice to know you're not the only one. A similar campaign in France to make Madame the single title for women has more backing. This was started by the brilliantly named Chiennes de garde and Osez le Feminisme and it looks like their idea has crossed the channel.

It might seem like a trivial issue in some respects, but it's a source of annoyance that it's taken as a given that people should be able to tell my marital status from my name - my husband is incredibly important to me, but he has not changed my identity.

Louise

5 Comments
Squeamish Kate
6/10/2011 11:56:42 pm

"if Ms is chosen it implies divorce or strident feminism!" I like everything I do to imply strident feminism!

Wondering what this article makes you think about saying "my other half"?

Reply
Ellie
7/10/2011 01:35:02 am

I went to sign the petition but "the ONLY title for women" put me off. Can I still be Dr? Can Mumsy still be Rev? I know, I know, they probably didn't mean to suggest women shouldn't take professional titles...

Reply
Em
9/10/2011 07:35:02 pm

I think it's a good idea. I'd like to retrospectively amend my own title as at 37 years old, I am considerably more stridently feminist than I was at 23 when I got married.

And probably a bit more lesbian too.

Reply
Louise link
10/10/2011 04:30:03 am

Ellie - I know what you mean, I like the idea behind the petition but I do think perhaps it's just badly worded - I have no problem being seen as a strident feminist, and anyone who gets a PhD deserves to be addressed as 'Dr' after all that work!

Reply
Louise link
10/10/2011 04:31:04 am

Em, I don't know about retrospectively amending, but there's nothing to stop you putting Ms on forms in the future :-)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    September 2014
    July 2014
    April 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011

    Categories

    All
    Bah
    Books
    Feminist
    Food
    Geekery
    Good News
    Incredulous
    Kids Today
    Music
    Science

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.